Howard Stern addressed ongoing contract talks with SiriusXM and dismissed rumors of being removed from the air for being “too woke” during a Thursday interview on “Andy Cohen Live.”
Stern’s extended vacation in August and September sparked speculation about his future with SiriusXM, where his contract is set to expire in 2025. Combined with the Trump administration’s criticism of outspoken media figures, some fans worried about his tenure.
Stern fueled the rumors by having Andy Cohen host the opening of his first show back in September.
Cohen suggested “woke” might mean caring about others, to which Stern replied, “It’s suddenly not macho to give a f—k about anybody. But I’m not being fired. I’m talking to Sirius about extending, and I love this company.”
Stern, who joined SiriusXM in 2006, has been a cornerstone of its programming, even through its 2007 merger with XM and acquisitions like “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.” He’s nearing the end of a five-year, $500 million deal signed in 2020. Reflecting on his 19 years with SiriusXM, Stern said, “I’m proud of this robust company, and if I stay, I’ll take ownership of that.”
He also recalled past FCC clashes in the ’90s and 2000s, when his show led to $2.5 million in fines for “indecent” content, calling the experience “traumatizing” as he only aimed to make people laugh.